By David Nagel
Kilcunda-Bass forward Taylor Gibson reminded everyone of his extraordinary talents with a mesmerising 10-goal haul against Kooweerup at Denhams Road on Saturday.
In a crucial game for both clubs, Gibson dominated in his first game for the season leading the Panthers to an ice-breaking 15.8.98 to 11.15.81 victory of huge importance.
While Kooweerup coach Rhys Nisbet is currently rueing the absence of his star forward Jason Wells, it was Panthers’ coach Lee Rowe who welcomed back his key target with open arms.
Kooweerup kicked the opening two goals of the contest, before Gibson answered with six shots at goal in the opening term – kicking 4.2 for the quarter.
It certainly wasn’t the end of the penny section, but Gibson’s fast-start provided the perfect platform for victory.
Kooweerup closed the 25-point quarter-time gap to 12 points at half time, and took the lead after a bright start to the third.
But Gibson’s presence proved crucial, as the Demons young defence – which conceded seven goals to Nathan Gardiner last week – once again leaked badly.
Rowe agreed that Gibson was superb on the weekend, but couldn’t have produced his grand display without considerable help from his teammates.
“We still had to tough it out,” Rowe said.
“Taylor kicked 10, and was magnificent, but we still had to get it in there and create those opportunities for him to showcase his talents.
“He was super, he kicked four goals in the first quarter after they kicked the first two.
“They got a point in front in the third, so we still had to fight it out which was really pleasing.
“We’ve got some bigger bodies coming back, and played Dale Gawley back, so it was good to have a bit of experience back which creates more flexibility.”
The Panthers have been struck down by injuries to key players this year.
Steve Scott, their big-name recruit from Wonthaggi, will miss the year with a knee, while Jack Soroczynski and Tom West are still several weeks away with back injuries.
Gibson was missing with a quad, and then a busted knuckle at work, while fellow key forward Marcus Baxter was back on deck on Saturday after also sitting on the sidelines.
And there was no Nathan Foote for the Panthers against the Demons, with the gun-mid missing with a slight abductor strain.
Throw in tough games against Tooradin, Dalyston and Inverloch and the Panthers were up against it from the outset.
“We knew it was going to be tough, considering the teams we had early and the injuries we’ve had, but we’re starting to find our feet now and winning on the weekend really helps,” Rowe said.
“If we lost, that would have made things tough so it was huge win for our season.
“We’ve had a tough start, but things are looking better.
“We can’t look too far ahead, but if things go our way over the next fortnight (Bunyip/Garfield), we can head to Phillip Island and have a real crack at them.
“Then we’ve got Korumburra, so the potentially over the next month we can square things away before we start getting some soldiers back.”
Dale Crawford, Lochie Scott and Ben Eddy were rock-solid for the Panthers, while Zak Banks and young-tall Seth O’Hehir did their best to stem the flow for the Demons.
Nisbet will be disappointed with results over the last fortnight, with the Demons leading both games against Cora Lynn and the Panthers in the second half but not finishing off the job.
It is going to take something special for the Demons to stay in finals calculations with a fiercely tough run over the next month of the season.
Holding a one-three record, the Demons face Phillip Island, Warragul Industrials, Tooradin-Dalmore and Inverloch-Kongwak in their next four encounters.
